Let me start with a question. Which of the girls above speaks the most fluent English? Can you put them in order from best to worst fluency?

Now that you've done that - note that these are the "Wondergirls", a Korean girlband phenom. They are being interviewed in America. Watch the first 50 seconds and pause the video (below). Then, check the order again.

I get asked a lot, "how do you do so much?" or am labeled, "the hardest working ELT teacher". I'm always somewhat lost as to how to respond. Baffled really. I guess I'm a fish that knows nothing about the water I swim in!

You see, I just do. I don't think much but rather when an idea comes, I…

Just by pure chance (via twitter) I came across this catchy song a few days ago. Someone twittered this video about the misfortunes of a young squirrel, it's such a nice and encouraging, inspirational, motivational video that I immediately decided to use it for my classes; besides, it's subtitled and commented, it's perfect! But after a few minutes my attention was drawn to the music, the lyrics and the…

Concentric Chat Circles can be used as an ice-breaker; to repeat a language structure to reinforce the use; to warm up students into a topic, or to have students reflect, and so on. No materials are needed.

1. Tell students to get into an alphabetical line according to their names.

2. Ask them to get into two groups. (As & Bs)

3. Have them stand in two concentric circles. Each inner-circle student (A) is…

This A-Z game can be used before a speaking/reading/writing class to generate some background knowledge, or could be used for vocabulary revision. The only materials needed are A-Z worksheet per group, a white board and 3 board markers.
Steps:
1.Ask students to get into three groups (green, blue and red).
2.Write the topic on the whiteboard.
3.Distribute the alphabet- an “… Continue

As a native speaking English teacher I still have a hard time putting myself in the students' shoes. The best way to put myself in their shoes is to study a second language. I don't have time except my office hours to study. Fortunately there is a good site to learn Korean online. I'm studying for Seogang University online and it's free. In some ways studying online is better than the class. I can study on my own pace, have 100% interaction and meet at my own time. Here is the like to the…